The Federal Government tells the U.S. to be cautious in granting visa to the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in order not to create the impression of endorsing him for the 2019 election.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the government position at an interactive session with media executives in Abuja on Thursday.

Mohammed said that the government was aware of the move by the former Vice President to lobby the U.S. to lift the visa ban imposed on him.

He said, while the U.S. has the prerogative of whom to issue visa, it should be mindful of the timing, in order not to give the impression that Atiku has been endorsed by the U.S. government.

“We understand and appreciate the fact that it is the prerogative of the U.S. to grant a visa to anyone who applies. “However, we want the U.S. to be neutral and be wary of taking any decision that will give the impression that they are favouring or endorsing one candidate over the other “Impression must not be created that the U.S. government is endorsing one particular candidate over the other,’’ he said.

The minister recalled that for years, there has been a kind of congressional bi-partisan investigation on corruption against certain individuals which had made it difficult for Atiku to secure a U.S. visa. “I am sure you will all recall the Jefferson’s case and the cold 90,000 U.S. dollar in fridge. “We are not unaware that Atiku has engaged the services of some lobbyists to persuade the U.S. to issue visa to him.

“Our position is that if the former Vice President is seeking the U.S. visa we have no problem about it. “However, we want the U.S. government not to create the impression that it is endorsing one candidate over the other,’’ he said. Speaking on security, the minister insisted that despite the recent set back brought about by attacks on the military, the Boko Haram insurgents had been largely decimated.

He recalled that when they took over in 2015, Boko Haram was active in 10 states including the FCT where they chose where and when to attack The minister said that 20 of the 27 Local Government Areas in Borno were under the insurgents where they hoisted their flags collected taxes and deposed the Emirs. He said since they took over, no inch of Nigeria territory is under the control of the insurgents who now operated in the fringes –Lake Chad Island- to launch guerilla attacks.

“What happened was a set-back and it is not enough to say that we are losing the war against the Boko Haram. “We want to appreciate the gallant military who are sacrificing day and night and those who have lost their lives to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty,’’ he said.

The Minister added that the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Borno and his ongoing visit to Chad were indications of renewed vigour to end the war. Mohammed also denied the allegations that the government was closing media space against the opposition.

On the arrest of Deji Adeyanju, convener of Concerned Nigerians by the Police, the minister noted that “being an activist or in the opposition does not protect anyone from arrest and prosecution’’. He said the case had been charged to court and it would be prejudicial to make further comments on it. (NAN)

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/be-cautious-of-granting-visa-to-atiku-fg-tells-us-2/

See mumu people

APC govt just won't stop to amaze me!

So US govt shouldn't give atiku Visa so you can continue your propaganda that atiku can't go to the states because he is corrupt.

And you want US to adhere to your wish

And you still accuse US will be partsian if they Grant atiku own wish.


And somebody is telling me these people are alright!

The minister didn't want Atikulooter to be betrayed by US..cause on getting there.. The united states government might jail him..so it is beta for him to remain as fugitive..

Atiku that have since been endorsed by the US, you guys seems to be sleeping.

When did buhari's government become the adviser of US. They don't want the only thing they are using against him to be rubbished by US.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/8171253_4644027719968012137665096323418442242195456n_jpeg5331b9c8fb5284ccff962bcc11bdcd26

oyin44:
The minister didn't want Atikulooter to be betrayed by US..cause on getting there.. The united states government might jail him..so it is beta for him to remain as fugitive..

Hehehehehehe what a lame Thought!

NaijaRoyelty:
APC said Atiku can't enter US

Now USA wants to give ATIKU Visa, APC are now warning the united states against giving him visa

What kind of useless people do we have as leaders today

This shows that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is innocent of all the accusations against him .

small boy leave politics for eldersb.this statement is a reversed psychology . what federal govt did has diminshed whatever effort atiku lobbyist have put together to secure visa for him.
initially international communities were silent over atiku case but now this statement has put USA on the spot. it will be a big indictment on USA if atiku secure the visa And was not arrested in USA

For betterment ...it is good for atiku to remains in Nigeria..America law.is different from Nigeria jungle law..

Liar Muhammed needs brain transplant ASAP.

ArmedRobber:
small boy leave politics for eldersb.this statement is a reversed psychology . what federal govt did has diminshed whatever effort atiku lobbyist have put together to secure visa for him.
initially international communities were silent over atiku case but now this statement has put USA on the spot. it will be a big indictment on USA if atiku secure the visa And was not arrested in USA

Buhari was banned from the UK pre 2015 and got the ban lifted during the campaign.

The US will lift the visa embargo on Atiku to create a level playing field.


Get Atikulated so that you will stop being an armed robber

oyin44:
The minister didn't want Atikulooter to be betrayed by US..cause on getting there.. The united states government might jail him..so it is beta for him to remain as fugitive..

odenson..
when will our saviour and god Tinubu also travel to the UD

oyin44:
The minister didn't want Atikulooter to be betrayed by US..cause on getting there.. The united states government might jail him..so it is beta for him to remain as fugitive..

odenson..
when will our saviour and god Tinubu also travel to the US

Buhari is dead and buried, what we have now is jubrin of Sudan.

Ooooooh?
I think say Lauretta say make Atiku go US?
Why FG aka APC dey “shiver” now?

Surely, the apc should be grateful that US will entrap atiku.

At least to any sane mind. Obviously, the apc is scared that their only campaign policy is about to be rubbished.

Anyway, the apc has their own audience.

And the US I know does not pander to the dictates of any Third World government.

They may even give it to him faster to prove a point.

Lol .. Liar Mohamed no serious , after over 3years in power your party’s campaign achievements has been “ we dare Atiku to go to the United States “ which the guy man is bold enough to take the dare , and you are now screaming blue murder to the other side. Proganda govt is coming to an end .

Atiku can't be foolish enough to accept any visa from the Americans, he'd be walking into thirty years behind bars

Motherfucker face the issues at hand, you talking nonsense. spit.

Lol

Lol. Does America recognise a lifeless Federal government of a shithole?

APC govt feeding their dump followers with lies and propaganda since their inception too bad the US govt is not as dumb as their zombie followers!!

Sirjamo:
Atiku can't be foolish enough to accept any visa from the Americans, he'd be walking into thirty years behind bars

The apc doesn't think so.

An apc fanatic like you don't want him to go the US either.

What will you campaign with again?

Wait! Is this a campaign issue with the APC? This is so silly, pettish,clueless and lifeless.How is the US-Atiku alleged visa issue a worry for this useless government?
When have it become the responsibility of the moribund APC govt.to advise the US government.

It's understandable.Having gone to the US and Buhari was called "lifeless" definitively the US must have seen Atiku as a ray of hope from the sorry state the Buhari govt.have dragged Nigeria into.

Childish act to apc

Confuse people everywhere, thought they said Atiku can't enter US, now they are begging US not to give visa to Atiku, so that they will not be put to shame, because after Atiku has gone to US and back, nothing to use to campaign against him.

The earlier Lai M. Start advising people to vote for Atiku the better for him.

Fear catch dem!

Useless government of propaganda.

First you went to town challenging him to visit the U.S.
Now he has finalized arrangements to do just that, and hold meetings with Congress and influential personalities, and here you are crying that he should not be granted a visa

Same thing this evil and violent party did with Diezani who volunteered to come back home to answer to all charges, they refused. Today they claim to be filing for the extradition of the same person that had earlier volunteered to come back!

Why not? The FG has no right to to tell the Americans who to allow into their country, they can only appeal to them to use the same criteria they've always used in evaluating him for the Visa. I sure do hope they lure the thief into their country and keep him there till eternity sha